The papers contain some corrections in ink and each concludes with the initials 'H.S.'and a date. Including the following titles: 'On Prospectus.' [5 Mar]; 'No Respect of Persons'; [18 April]; 'Note on Dress. F[rancis] E[lliot] K[itchener]' [21 May 1861]; 'H.S. on F.E.K. Sound. [The Senses.]' [5 August 1861]; 'Reply of F.E.K. on Note V. "The Senses."' [25 Februrary]; 'Note. F.E.K. [John William?] Colenso' [6 May]; 'Mixed Motives' [17 May]; 'H[enry] G[raham] D[akyns] Note 1.'; 'A Leaf from my Notebook on Society.' [22 April]. Persons are referred to by their initials, and include E. R[hodes]. Accompanying papers is an envelope addressed to Mrs Sidgwick [name and address crossed out], with 'Initial Society Essays Typed copies' inscribed on it. On reverse is a list, in pencil, of papers, with publication details.
Reports that a lady [Eliza Rhodes], with whom he is acquainted from his younger days when they were both 'in a Society for mutual improvement by means of correspondence' has written a paper 'on the Advisability of Educating Rural Young Women by means of Correspondence', and that the paper has been submitted to him. States that he has undertaken to try and organise 'a system of Education by Post, preparatory...for the C[ambridge] Examinations', and relating to [Cambridge] lectures. Wishes to ask Myers, as Superintendent of English for Home Study' what his colleagues and pupils are likely to think of this scheme, the main points of which he outlines.
Reports that he has just been staying with the Bibbys at Liverpool. Claims to enjoy talking to Miss Bibby, and does not 'at all dislike Mr and Mrs.' Declares that he wishes that 'people who do not read books would have always the courage of their unliterary convictions, like Jack Perkins of Downing College.'
Reports that he has been 'attending a North of England Council Meeting and making observations on women.' Remarks that they 'have not quite enough practical selfassertion at the right place and time, and hence are more apt to nurse small jealousies than men.' Declares himself to be 'in an ultra-philosophic humour', due to having mislaid his portmanteau. Reports that he is 'obambulating the Irish Channel, or circumambulating the Great [Orme's] Head, to keep off h[ay] f[ever].'
Claims to be ashamed of not having answered her first letter, and remarks that it is such an unusual thing to owe her a letter. States that he had hoped to go and see her that term just before the examinations, but explains that a friend of his has just arranged a visit to him, so he must postpone it. Announces that he is to spend the Long Vacation in England, and therefore shall be free to accept invitations then. Declares that had had also wished to go to Rugby at the end of the term. Reports that he is very busy with examinations, and if his hayfever gets worse, he 'must not venture...' as his eyes 'may be taken bad: [which] would be a disastrous preliminary to the study of Hebrew...' Remarks that Arthur seems to have enjoyed himself very much at Rugby, and reports that he heard from their mother that day, but that she seemed 'rather dull.' Announces that he is going up to town the following day, 'and shall try and cast a hurried glance over the Academy', but must be back in Cambridge again on Thursday morning as he has to 'non-placet a Grace of the senate (petitioning against Mr Bouverie's bill [to repeal the "Conformity to the Liturgy" clause in the Act of Uniformity).' Explains that the non-placeters are in 'a miserable minority', and he doesn't wish to make it even smaller.
Reports that he dined with the Kitcheners at Newmarket some days ago, 'and saw E. R[hodes]', who 'is not so good in conversation as Miss (Annette) Kitchener, though her writing is decidedly more powerful.' Regrets to hear that his mother is still 'a sleeping partner of the [Initial S]ociety.' Asks her whether he ever showed her some things he translated 'in Iphigenia in [ ]', and quotes from it. Declares that he is getting to know a great deal about English history, and is 'wondering whether a book could be written about it at once short, instructive and interesting.' Advises her to read Goldwin Smith's lectures, which are 'so carefully composed that it is a real pleasure to read them independently of anything one learns from them.' Asks her to keep for him a pair of laced boots, which he believes he left at her house. Asks her to send back Ch[ ] some time.